[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Two
Rivers 7-1-2019. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a means of travel
that is not only convenient and safe, but conserves resources and
protects the environment. Golf carts, if properly used, are an effective
way to travel for short distances within the City. However, to ensure
the public safety and welfare, the operation of golf carts must not
only comply with normal regulations regarding vehicles, but should
comply with special safety regulations intended to protect the operator
and passengers in a vehicle that is primarily designed for operation
on a golf course or for recreational purposes. This chapter establishes
the basic, minimum standards of care to be used by the operators of
golf carts on public roads, streets and highways. Likewise, the public
safety requires that golf carts, used as a means of transportation,
must also meet certain minimum safety standards that can only be assured
through a system of registration and inspection. The registration
and inspection of golf carts is required in order to protect the public
health, safety and welfare.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
- GOLF CART
- A vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour.
A.
The operation of golf carts is not subject to the provisions of this
chapter under the following circumstances: the operation of golf carts
at golf courses, private clubs or on private property, with the consent
of the owner.
B.
The use of a golf cart in connection with a parade, a festival or
other special event is still subject to all provisions of this chapter.
Additionally, consent from the coordinator of any event is required
for use at and/or during the event.
No person who is less than 16 years of age or who does not have
a valid driver's license issued under or granted by the laws
of Wisconsin or some other state may operate a golf cart on any public
street within the City. For purposes of this section, a learner's
permit shall not be considered as a valid driver's license nor
shall any license that has been revoked, temporarily or otherwise,
or suspended for any reason, be considered as a valid driver's
license during the period of suspension or revocation.
A.
No golf cart may be operated on any public street within the City
unless the golf cart has first been registered with the Two Rivers
Police Department as required herein. The registration shall be renewed
thereafter in accordance with the provisions of this section. To evidence
the registration, the owner shall be issued an annual permit, which
shall be displayed in a prominent, visible place on the rear fender
of the golf cart or at such other place as may be approved by the
Police Department. The permit may contain a registration number assigned
for the particular golf cart and may contain an expiration date.
B.
Registration fee. An annual registration fee as may be established
and adopted by the City Council from time to time, as amended, shall
be paid to the City at the time the application for registration is
filed with the Two Rivers Police Department or for any renewal of
the application.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Title 1, General
Provisions, Ch. 1-1, Art. III)]
C.
Application. The application for registration shall be made to the
Two Rivers Police Chief, or to some other person designated, on forms
provided by the City. The application may, among other things, require
the owner's name, street address, mailing address, a phone number,
the make, model and identification or serial number of the golf cart,
proof of insurance and such other information as may be reasonably
required, as well as a release of the City from liability for any
accidents involving the registered golf cart and an agreement to indemnify
and hold the City harmless from any claims arising from any such accident.
D.
Inspection. Prior to issuing the initial registration permit or any
renewal thereof, the golf cart shall either be inspected or, in place
of inspection, the Two Rivers Police Department may require photographs
submitted of the golf cart, to determine that:
(1)
The golf cart is equipped with at least two red rear reflectors at
least three inches in height and width;
(2)
The golf cart is equipped with a reflective slow-moving sign or flag
on the rear of the cart;
(3)
The brakes provided by the manufacturer of the golf cart are in proper
working order;
(4)
The golf cart has all of the standard safety features provided by
the manufacturer and has not been modified to exceed a speed of 20
miles per hour, nor otherwise modified in any way that creates a hazard;
(5)
The golf cart is equipped with all mechanical systems and safety
equipment required by this chapter; and
(6)
All existing manufacturer's lights are in working order, or a minimum
of one headlight/taillight installed so as to not conflict with oncoming
traffic's vision if not driven during daylight hours. All lighting
must be capable of being observed from a distance of 500 feet.
E.
Denial and revocation. The initial registration of a golf cart may
be denied or subsequently revoked by the City of Two Rivers if it
is determined that:
(1)
The application contains any material misrepresentation;
(2)
The golf cart is not in compliance with the requirements set out
above;
(3)
The golf cart has been altered or customized and no longer meets
the definition of golf cart;
(4)
Equipment supplied by the manufacturer, especially safety equipment,
has been removed from the golf cart or the vehicle identification
or serial number removed; or
(5)
Other good cause shown, including repeated violations of this chapter.
F.
Disqualified vehicles. ATVs, four-wheel utility vehicles and other
similar utility vehicles which are not manufactured for operation
on a golf course and golf carts which have been modified so that they
no longer meet the definition of a golf cart may not be registered
as a golf cart nor shall such vehicles be operated on the public roads
within the City unless such vehicles are otherwise registered with
and allowed under the motor vehicle laws of the State of Wisconsin.
Golf carts shall not be operated on the public streets of the
City, except in full compliance with the provisions of this section.
A.
Hours of operation. Golf carts may be driven on approved public streets
from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight. Golf carts may not be operated when
fog, smog, smoke or other conditions reduce visibility so that the
golf cart is not visible for a distance of 250 feet.
B.
Streets. Golf carts may be operated on any City-owned streets, within
the City limits with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or
less.
C.
Motor vehicle laws. All laws regarding the use of motor vehicles
in the State of Wisconsin, including possession of a valid driver's
license, and all ordinances regarding the use of motor vehicles in
the City not inconsistent therewith shall be observed, except that
no golf cart may be operated at a speed in excess of 20 miles per
hour, or the top speed set by the manufacturer, whichever is lesser.
D.
Right-of-way. The operator of a golf cart shall yield the right-of-way
to overtaking motor vehicles.
E.
City property and sidewalks. Golf carts shall not be operated on
any sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, bicycle path or trail, jogging path,
greenway, or park or on any beach, or trail except for official police
business or by City personnel while on City business. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, golf carts shall not be operated
on property owned or leased by the City except with the express written
consent of the City Council and upon the terms and conditions as may
be set forth in such written permission, or to gain access to a parking
lot for the purpose of parking.
F.
Golf cart capacity. The seating capacity (normally no more than four
passengers) shall not be exceeded, nor shall the operator or any passenger
be permitted to stand while the golf cart is in operation.
G.
Commercial purposes. Golf carts may not be used as a taxicab or bus
or for the commercial carrying of passengers or the hauling of freight.
H.
Parking. Golf carts may only be parked in the same manner and at
the same places designated for the parking of motor vehicles. The
stopping, standing or parking of golf carts in an area where parking
is not allowed or in any place that impedes the flow of traffic, pedestrian
walkways or a passageway is prohibited.
I.
Unattended vehicles. No person shall leave or allow any golf cart
owned or operated by him/her to remain unattended on any public highway
or public property while the motor is running or with the starting
key left in the ignition.
J.
Towing. Golf carts may not be used for the purpose of towing another
cart, trailer, or vehicle of any kind including a person on roller
skates, skateboard or bicycle.
A.
Disclaimer. Golf carts are not designed for nor manufactured to be
used on public streets and the City neither advocates nor endorses
the golf cart as a safe means of travel on public streets, roads and
highways. The City in no way shall be liable for accidents, injuries
or death involving the operation of golf carts.
B.
Assumption of risk. Any person, who owns, operates or rides upon
a golf cart on a public street, road or highway within the City does
so at his or her own risk and peril and assumes all liability resulting
from the operation of the golf cart.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Title 1, General
Provisions, Ch. 1-1, Art. III)]
If any person shall violate this chapter, he or she shall be
guilty of a forfeiture and shall be fined not more than $100 or such
other amount as shall be set forth in the schedule of forfeitures
adopted by the City Council from time to time, except that the owner
or operator of a golf cart who shall violate a provision regulating
the parking of vehicles shall be subject to a civil penalty as set
forth in the general penalty of the Code,[1] including the imposition of larger civil penalties for
multiple or repeat offenses within a specified period of time.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 1-1, Art. II, General Penalty.
